01Weather
Vancouver weather in January
Afternoons in January average 7.5 °C (46 °F) and nights cool to 3.4 °C (38 °F). The month brings about 223 mm (8.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 16 days. Compared with December it is 0.4 °C warmer; February is 0.1 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 11 °C / 51 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 40 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 31 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 4.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 53 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 13.8 °C / -10.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 08:07 | 16:24 | 8.3 h |
| 15 January | 08:02 | 16:41 | 8.7 h |
| 31 January | 07:44 | 17:06 | 9.4 h |
Daylight grows by about 66 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Vancouver).
03Crowds
How busy Vancouver is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- rainy season
- ski season at Grouse, Cypress and Whistler
- Dine Out Vancouver
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Vancouver in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dine Out Vancouver | late January to early February | food |
| Polar Bear Swim | 1 January, English Bay | tradition |
07Packing
What to pack for Vancouver in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is mild for Canada but wet, with afternoons around 6 °C and rain on most days, while the local mountains have deep snow and the ski lifts at Grouse are a twenty-minute drive from downtown, with night skiing until ten. Dine Out Vancouver offers set menus at hundreds of restaurants from late January. Hotel rates are at their lowest. The Polar Bear Swim at English Bay opens the year on 1 January.
Snow falls in the city on a few days and rarely stays. Daylight runs from about eight to half past four. The Vancouver Aquarium and the Museum of Anthropology are the rainy-day circuit. The Chinese New Year can fall in late January. For the lunar parade and the first daffodils, see February.
09Compare
Vancouver month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 7 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 10 °C | 5 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| April | 14 °C | 7 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 18 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 21 °C | 13 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 24 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 24 °C | 16 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 20 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 14 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 18 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 7 °C | 3 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Vancouver.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco in January | 15 °C | 7 |
| Las Vegas in January | 14 °C | 1 |
| Los Angeles in January | 19 °C | 1 |
| Toronto in January | 0 °C | 10 |
| New York City in January | 5 °C | 8 |
| Orlando in January | 22 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
Vancouver in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Vancouver?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Vancouver. Daytime highs average 8 °C (46 °F), rain falls on about 16 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Vancouver in January?
Expect cold days around 8 °C (46 °F) and nights near 3 °C (38 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 11 °C, and one in ten stays below 4 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in January?
January brings about 223 mm (8.8 in) of rain over roughly 16 days, which is wet by Vancouver standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 53 percent.
What should I wear in Vancouver in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Vancouver crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: rainy season; ski season at Grouse, Cypress and Whistler; Dine Out Vancouver.
What time does it get dark in Vancouver in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:41 and rises at 08:02, giving 8.7 hours of daylight.